I write these posts asking you to take action because inaction signals we are fine with what’s happening.
I make phones calls, even when I don’t want to, because I have to do something to preserve and advance human and environmental justice.
Many people are doing much more than calling their Senators. People like Ady Barkan who has ASL, is spending the last days of his life fighting for our Democracy. This blog feels so small in the light of his courage.
I am asking you to stand against Brett Kavanaugh, because what we know of him does not align with our values (and is disgraceful) and what is being hidden could be worse.
The highest courts changes lives. Mine was changed with the passage of Gay Marriage. Then there is Roe v Wade, Brown v the Board of Education, Loving v Virginia, Citizens United v FEC. There results which changed the course of our country.
Susan Collins, R-ME, (202) 224-2523
Catherine Cortez Masto, D-NV, (202) 224-3542
Joe Donnelly, D-IN, (202) 224-4814
Jeff Flake, R-AZ, (202) 224-4521
Heidi Heitkamp, D-ND, (202) 224-2043
Doug Jones, D-AL, (202) 224-4124
Joe Manchin, D-WV, (202) 224-3954
Claire MsCaskill, D-MO, (202) 224-6154
Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, (202) 224-6665
Bill Nelson, D-FL, (202) 224-5274
Jon Tester, D-MT, (202) 224-2644
Senate switchboard - (202) 224-3121
Speaking truth to justice matters. As does our commitment to be courageous. It takes courage to speak truth.
Colin Kapernick and Eric Reed are courageous.
It is a fact that police in the United States are killing unarmed black people with little or zero accountability.
It is a fact that Colin Kapernick and Eric Reed wanted to change this crisis by taking a knee during the National Anthem.
It is a fact that a Green Beret suggested they take a knee versus sitting during the Anthem, as taking a knee is what is done for fallen solidiers.
It is NOT a fact that this action is done to disrespect veterans or the flag. This is an interpretation and is not the truth for Kapernick or Eric Reed.
Like Rosa Parks and the Freedom Riders before them, Colin Kapernick and Eric Reed didn’t know what could or would happen and yet, that didn’t matter. What mattered was justice.
Regardless of what you feel about Serena Williams, it was clear to me that she couldn’t bear the accusation of having her character challenged. For me, there is nothing more triggering than being accused of cheating or lying. She couldn’t drop it with the Umpire. When my character is assaulted, I too hold tight to make sure it is understood that I did not lie or cheat.
Serena said she would rather lose than cheat. Then she stood for Naomi Osaka in a circumstance that most of us can’t imagine. Like John McCain did when Obama was called an Arab even though he wanted to win, like Obama did when he said ‘don’t boo, VOTE’ even though he may have agreed with what the crowd was booing, Serena felt cheated and still stood for Naomi Osaka, giving her respect and asking us to do the same. This took integrity. It is not easy to lose at on the biggest stage. It is absolutely righteous to ask that the winner be honored.
It takes courage to show up 30-years after the fact and talk about sexual assault of a man being nominated for the highest court. Professor Christine Blasey Ford knows she will endure attacks and vitriol, perhaps even death threats, for stating her truth, that she was sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh.
This cannot be said enough, women (and men) who have been sexually assaulted, who have feared for their safety and lives, carry that experience with them for a lifetime. They never let go of an attack from high school, grade school, college, at work, at home, on date, on the playground. Sexual assault permanently changes you.
We are continually faced in our political landscape with what we will do in the face of lies, deceit, degradation of our moral code, cruelty and threats of assault, direct assault…the list goes on.
We have lives to live. Many of us are not directly affected of what’s happening, at least not yet. We know the psychological damage inflicted. We know the pain our children will feel. We know from history that rebuilding a nation from the ashes of a dictator, like Nazi Germany, takes several lifetimes.
We have the ability to change the direction of our country. Voting is the most profound action we can take. The midterm election is 49-days away.
We cannot be apathetic.
There is no time to be exhausted.
Social media rants are not enough.
Calls must be made. Doors must be knocked on. And thanks to the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Citizen’s United, donations must be made.
Today, say no to Brett Kavanaugh and please encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Call these Senators. Tell them your calling as an American who is concerned about the truth. Then, call your Senators and say an unequivocal No.
Susan Collins, R-ME, (202) 224-2523
Catherine Cortez Masto, D-NV, (202) 224-3542
Joe Donnelly, D-IN, (202) 224-4814
Jeff Flake, R-AZ, (202) 224-4521
Heidi Heitkamp, D-ND, (202) 224-2043
Doug Jones, D-AL, (202) 224-4124
Joe Manchin, D-WV, (202) 224-3954
Claire MsCaskill, D-MO, (202) 224-6154
Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, (202) 224-6665
Bill Nelson, D-FL, (202) 224-5274
Jon Tester, D-MT, (202) 224-2644
Senate switchboard for your Senator - (202) 224-3121
And please share share share.
With gratitude and love –
:: Genessa